The Reason for Suffering

Renee Pasarow, near death survivor, explains the purpose for suffering on earth.

...it became very clear to me that suffering in this life can very much be a gift. Not necessarily a gift. It's a catalyst, and a catalyst is neutral. But suffering gives us the opportunity to grow spiritually. And if our true reality is spiritual and not physical, and if our physical suffering results in the development of our spiritual being and spiritual qualities, then it can indeed be a gift. Because if you think about it there is no moment we can be courageous without the existence of pain and danger. There's no way we can truly show compassion in this realm of existence unless, unfortunately, someone else may be suffering. There's no way we can have patience--that spiritual quality of patience--and endure, unless things are not going according to how we may desire. And so, if as a result of our physical suffering we can develop these eternal, these essential, these everlasting, these non-ephemeral qualities that are going to last beyond our mere 70 years of life, into the next realm, then we are creating our own spiritual being that we are going to take with us. And that is the most glorious achievement that we can possibly have.
--Renee Pasarow

Click here to view her video on how suffering serves as a catalyst for spiritual growth.

You can also view the entire video from the beginning for a spectacular near death account.